[blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to WalkwithCanes

Tue Jun 8 18:41:10 UTC 2010

Here here David.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 10:50 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to
WalkwithCanes

Peter:

I know your intentions, and sentiments are good, but I think you are 
going way overboard with your reaction to the WII travel 
game.  First, you aren't going to do total immersion training with 
kids the way you would, if at all, as with adults.  Secondly, the 
power failure stuff is just silly.  This is a game that teaches some 
skills.  You use it a while then move on.  It isn't a mobility tool 
you would use to get around your school or anything.

Yes, if this was used in place of real hands-on training, it would be 
bad, but as a motivator, or even a reward to a kid I think it could 
be a fine thing.

Dave

At 04:05 PM 6/7/2010, you wrote:
>Hello Holly and everyone,
>
>         We've seen too many trinkets of this kind developed by
well-meaning
>"Professionals" in the field who at the end of the day do more harm to the
>blind than good. Many on this list learned to travel with a cane without
the
>need for video games, laser canes, etc. I'd like to know if the Wii Device
>will function during a power failure?  Hands-on, total immersion O&M
>instruction can occur whether there is electricity or not. The same
>observation has been made concerning the over-dependence on paperless
>Braille devices.
>
>     Last week we received a sobering reminder of this when a freak storm
>knocked out power to much of Northwest San Antonio. It was a stark reminder
>of the dangers of an over-dependence on technology.
>
>Besides why not have the blind child invite his/her friends for hands-on
>cane sessions rather than just playing a video game. It will be great
>exercise for the kids as well as providing an opportunity for them to learn
>how the blind travel with a cane and that they need not pity or fear their
>blind pears. This is the kind of total immersion you won't get from sitting
>at a computer terminal.
>
>Peter Donahue
>     ----- Original Message -----
>From: "holly miller" <hollym12 at gmail.com>
>To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
><blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 2:37 PM
>Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to
>WalkwithCanes
>
>
>I am curious how you can know that something can not have any possible
>benefits before it has been put to use?  Yes it's possible it will be a
flop
>but what harm could there be in investigating new ideas?   Neither the
>creator or anyone here is suggesting this replaces real life O&M training,
>it's simply a potential tool to put in the tool box.  Isn't one of
>the reoccurring themes here that the best thing for our kids is to make use
>of many different strategies and to not limit options?
>
>Are you familiar with the Wii game system?  If you aren't, it really is
>unique from other video game systems.   What I think may make this
>a plausible option is that the Wii is designed for the user to be in motion
>while playing many of the games.  The system reads & reacts to the players
>motions, not just pushing of buttons. For instance, if you are playing a
>tennis game, you actually swing the controller like a tennis racquet.   The
>player wouldn't be sitting still, they would actually be walking around the
>room.  The controller is a long, slim rectangle that can be held similarly
>to a proper cane grip.  The controller vibrates so it can give tactile
>feedback to a simulated obstacle.
>
>Again, this should not in any way be considered a replacement to real world
>training, just an interesting supplement to it.
>
>Holly
>aka Hank's mom
>
>On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 3:01 PM, Peter Donahue
><pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>
> > Good afternoon everyone,
> >
> >    Nothing will replace the total immersion experience. Cane travel is
> > very
> > hands-on. Playing video games of this kine do nothing to help the blind
> > child hone their cane skills and gain the confidence needed to become a
> > good
> > cane traveler and to feel good about using the cane. We learned cane use
> > that way and appreciate the value of having done so.
> >
> > Peter Donahue
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "holly miller" <hollym12 at gmail.com>
> > To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 1:50 PM
> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to
> > WalkwithCanes
> >
> >
> > Peter,
> > It says in the article
> >
> > "The Wii Cane training program is not meant to replace traditional
> >  training  methods, but is only a supplement."
> > I would be concerned if someone thought it could replace actual real
life
> > training but I don't think that's what they are suggesting at all.
> >
> > I'm going to reserve judgement on it until it's actually available.  It
> > sounds very interesting but of course well meaning ideas often fall far
> > from
> > the mark.  On the other hand, if it is well done it could be a huge help
> > especially for newly blind or partial vision kids that are having
trouble
> > accepting the idea of a cane.  Cane training doesn't need high tech
tricks
> > to be successful but if there is something that can make O&M training
more
> > fun & add a coolness factor, why would that be a bad thing?
> >
> > If this project is successful or not, the research & development going
> > into
> > making a game might be a stepping stone to some other assistive
technology
> > that hasn't even been considered before.
> >
> > Holly
> > aka Hank's mom
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Peter Donahue
> > <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:
> >
> > > Hello Doreen and everyone,
> > >
> > >    All of the video games in the World won't replace hands-on cane
> > > travel
> > > instruction. Please don't fall for this stuff.
> > >
> > > Peter Donahue

                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920

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